//ARTIST

niles

Chadwick "Niles" Phillips was born and raised in Lansing, MI. He is the CEO/Founder of The Avant Garde, LLC. He is also a renaissance man within the world of the arts. He is a hip-hop artist, director, producer, actor, host, motivational speaker and teacher of his own curriculum entitled "Hip-Hop, History and The Arts". He graduated from Michigan State University in 2006 with a Bachelors in Communications. After graduation he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music, film and education. He is the son of the legendary jazz/symphony orchestra bassist Sam Gill.

Upon moving to NYC he accomplished the following: He won the "Who's Next"/HOT 97 Talent Search in 2006 which enabled him to release a single on Major Label/Koch Records, won the Harlem Rapathon contest, performed in HOT 97 Summer Jam (07', 08'), opened up for artists like Talib Kweli, KRS One, DJ Premiere vs. DJ Scratch (Summer set 08'), Raekwon (Wu-Tang) and many more, He worked in film for BET News (transcriber/Production Assistant), CBS (Broadcast Associate), MTV (Production Assistant/"The Real World Brooklyn"), a production assistant for major movies ("Julie and Julia", "Sorcerer's Apprentice") and NYC Fashion week (Camera Assistant/Fashion Television Canada).

Upon moving to the Twin Cities he hosted the legendary "Poet's Groove" open mic in Minneapolis for 2 and a half years along with many high profile events throughout the Twin Cities. He founded his curriculum "Hip-Hop, History and The Arts" and started teaching it at schools all around the Twin Cities. His curriculum has released 2 youth music recording projects ("The Next Move" album with the "High School for Recording Arts" and the "My Generation" EP with FAIR School Downtown). With The Avant Garde he's presented successful events at the Bedlam Lowertown, Como Dockside, The Dakota Jazz Club and The State Theater. Within the last year, Niles opened up for Jay Electronica, Rakim, Yasiin Bey, Slick Rick, Raewkon, Pete Rock and Camp Lo. He will be releasing his debut album entitled "To Remain" in 2018.